Frustrated Force vow to keep fighting

[The InnFORCEr]

Justin Chadwick
April 12, 2015, 11:46 am


Stand-in Western Force skipper Sam Wykes is adamant the franchise has the right hierarchy in place to lead the slumping team to Super Rugby success in future.

The Force face a fight just to avoid the wooden spoon this season after Saturday's 24-15 loss to the Cheetahs consigned them to their seventh straight defeat.

Frustrated Force vow to keep fighting. Source: Getty

The situation is in stark contrast to last year, when the Force came within a whisker of making the finals for the first time.

Coach Michael Foley cut a frustrated figure after watching his team commit several costly decision-making errors against the Cheetahs.

And the task doesn't get any easier for the Force, who take on the Stormers (Perth) and high-flying Chiefs (Hamilton, NZ) over the next fortnight.

The Force sit just one point ahead of the last-placed Queensland Reds, but Wykes is confident the team's form will soon turn.

"We're disappointed we haven't got the results this year. But one thing our team will always do is keep fighting," Wykes said.

"We'll definitely succeed, I've got no doubt about that.

"I believe in the systems we have. We've got a great coaching staff. The club has got the right people here to steer it in the right direction.

"It does hurt us that we didn't get the results, especially for the people who have been so loyal to us.

"It definitely is frustrating. But we'll keep fighting."

Earlier this year, Foley signed a two-year contract extension that ties him to the Force until the end of 2017.

His assistants Dave Wessels and Kevin Foote are also highly regarded within club headquarters.

The Force have blown good chances to secure victory in each of their past four games, and they are now just two defeats away from equalling their longest losing run.

Saturday's match was meant to be a celebration of the Force's 10th year in the competition.

Instead, it became a time for some brutal home truths after the Force coughed up a 15-8 lead in slippery conditions.

Foley's frustrations were clear to see after the game, with the coach critical of his team's unwillingness to kick the ball to safety at crucial times.

"I think we made some silly decisions around halfway with the ball that brought the Cheetahs back into the game," Foley said.

"It's pretty straight forward. If you're outnumbered, then the right thing to do in wet conditions is to get the ball in behind the opposition and make sure you're playing with the numerical advantage."

Force skipper Matt Hodgson (hamstring) is set to miss one more week before returning for the April 24 clash with the Chiefs.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/...keep-fighting/

[Alison]

And Grubb Growden is revelling in it as he again writes about the Aus Conference having two too many teams in it. My riposte is that had the ARU done more to help grow the game outside NSW we would not be in the mess we are nationally. Makes me wonder if some within the ARU are smirking behind "I told you so's" right now.

[Herbasimplex]

If we can't get up against the cheetahs at home on our 10 year anniversary, then we'll struggle to win another game this season. Foley is usually very diplomatic but I think his comments show the team is not able to execute the basic plan. It seems we just don't have the cattle.

If the Cattle are not getting the job done then Foley has nothing to lose now in changing the combinations.

[Sheikh]

And Grubb Growden is revelling in it as he again writes about the Aus Conference having two too many teams in it. My riposte is that had the ARU done more to help grow the game outside NSW we would not be in the mess we are nationally. Makes me wonder if some within the ARU are smirking behind "I told you so's" right now.

Does Growden think the two which should be cut are the Force and the Reds?

[Alison]

And while the finances stay the way they are, we will never have the cattle. As I keep saying, we can breed and grow the players in WA but then don't have the financial support from the ARU to keep them here once they've proved they are potential Wallabies. Maybe that's been the ARU's plan all along?

And before the 'tin foil hat' brigade lay in to me, I challenge you to prove my theory wrong.

[Alison]

Does Growden think the two which should be cut are the Force and the Reds?

Ha! He doesn't say it specifically, but he advocates going back to three teams like in the Super12 and says the Reds were "the most spirited" Aus team this week, so my take is that he would cut the Force and the Rebels. Here's the article:

http://www.espnscrum.com/super-rugby...ry/261685.html

[travelling_gerry]

We only have to win one more game this year to be a success. Roll on the Tahs at home.

[boof1050]

FRUSTRATED FORCE bloody frustrated fans as well. I was an angry git all day yesterday.It was my birthday as well.

[Elf1]

FRUSTRATED FORCE bloody frustrated fans as well. I was an angry git all day yesterday.It was my birthday as well.

Happy Birthday for yesterday Boof Don't be angry it is a waste of energy.

[jono]

The silver lining is that, at least we didn't win the comp in 2011 & are now sitting dead last.

As far as falls go, ours hasn't been from very high

[Alison]

FRUSTRATED FORCE bloody frustrated fans as well. I was an angry git all day yesterday.It was my birthday as well.

True Aries spirit there Boof! Happy Birthday for yesterday :-))

[Scozzie]

Australian rugby is not in a good place at the moment, witnessed by the results at the weekend and the pending player drain after the RWC. I hope the Force do manage to turn their season around and stick it up the ARU and the East Coasters.....!!

[travelling_gerry]

What happened to all the players since last round? All Australian Players? The Wallaby Camp!

Get ya tin foil hats here!

[tic]

The silver lining is that, at least we didn't win the comp in 2011 & are now sitting dead last.

As far as falls go, ours hasn't been from very high

This.

Can we start an association for rugby teams crippled by Richard Graham's spectacular incompetence? Force and Reds to be founding members.

We might be able to register as a charity and get federal government funding.

[The InnFORCEr]

We were lucky Tic, we were able to get rid of him, unfortunately there is confidence within QRU HQ for him, your stuck with Woody by the looks!